Obama cancels Poland trip due to volcano fallout

The Washington Post ^ | April 17, 2010

[lizol]

Obama cancels Poland trip due to volcano fallout

The Associated Press Saturday, April 17, 2010; 2:56 PM

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has canceled plans to travel to Poland for the funeral of President Lech Kaczynski (lekh kah-CHIN'-skee).

A White House statement Saturday cited hazardous flying conditions posed by the ash cloud from the erupting volcano in Iceland.

The cloud has forced huge portions of European airspace to be closed. The fear is that microscopic particles of highly abrasive ash could endanger passengers by causing aircraft engines to fail.

Obama was to leave Washington on Saturday night for Sunday's state funeral of Kaczynski in Krakow, Poland. The Polish president, his wife and 94 others died in a plane crash last Saturday.

[Moltke]

He could travel by ballistic missile - that wouldn’t be affected too much. /s

[Moltke]

Now THAT’S one of the funniest things I’ve seen yet. Thanks.

[MinuteGal]

The Polish president was very conservative.....and I mean conservative in the scope of our terms, also.

Obama would be as welcome at that funeral as a flea in a dog factory.

I'm breaking out in itches just thinking about him.

Leni

[dennisw]

The only reason 0bama was so hot to trot was to meet with his man-crush Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile Putin always tries to dodge our gay president. Vlad can see right through him and his punka$$ ways

[La Enchiladita]

How convenient... for all involved.

I was surprised that he ever announced he would attend.

[piroque]

His absence will make Poland AMERICA a better place.

[nagdt]

that is precious! What a loser.

[Tax-chick]

Well, it would.

[wolf78]

The situation over Europe is really bad right now, with the air traffic grounded in most states. Some heads of government returning after state visits like Merkel or Stoltenberg of Norway have been on an odyssey through Europe via car or train.




The Poles had enough commies running around their country. His absence is a God send, actually.

Actually, economically speaking, Kaczynski himself was far left of Obama. He always fought hard to keep state-run health care, with Tusk pressing for market-oriented reform.

[TNdandelion]

“Yes we can!!!” Oh well.....

[Kickass Conservative]

Two words, Lava Credits...

[dr_who]

Poland apparently isn’t overlooking this slight on Obama’s part.

[Humal]

Was it ever proven/disproven that Obama told Pres. Bush to stay home? That he (Obama) would order the Secret Service protection to not go if Pres. Bush did. Been without a computer for a week, and I'm so behind.